FED-UP pensioner Rosemary Pearson lost her faith in society when cold-hearted thugs stole her mobility scooter.

They robbed her of her freedom and she became a prisoner in her own home.

But today her belief has been restored after a Good Samaritan stepped forward when he read about her plight in the Chronicle.

David Smart has donated his late wife’s scooter – an act of kindness he says his partner would have wanted.

Elaine Smart collapsed from a heart attack while walking along Hadrian’s Wall. At the age of 48 she underwent a heart transplant but died four days later in October last year.

David, 51, from Westerhope, Newcastle, bought Elaine the mobility scooter soon after her heart attack as she became so weak that she struggled to walk a few yards.

Now Rosemary has told of her delight over David’s generosity.

Rosemary, 82, said: “I thought the world had turned into a horrible place but now I believe there are good people out there. I am very grateful to David and I can’t wait to get out of the house and back out shopping in Pelaw.

“I love going out and the scooter gives me independence.”

Thieves stole Rosemary’s mobility scooter from outside her home in Bill Quay, Gateshead.

The fragile pensioner had just come out of hospital after having knee surgery and can barely walk. They robbed her of her only hope of independence.

In constant pain, she can only manage a few steps at a time with the help of a Zimmer frame. And without her scooter, she only has a visit by a community warden to look forward to each day.

But now she is looking forward to getting back out and about – thanks to David.

“I read about the thieves stealing Rosemary’s mobility scooter in the Chronicle and I just had to pick up the phone to offer the scooter I have at home.

“My wife died in October and hers is just sitting there. It’s what Elaine would have wanted.

“It was ironic that I was reading Rosemary’s story in the Chronicle when I was returning home from Elaine’s inquest. Elaine is up there still sorting people out down here.

“It means her scooter is going to a good home and is improving someone else’s quality of life.”

Rosemary, who has no children, bought her original scooter from a neighbour for just £300, but Rosemary described it as being priceless to her.

She loved her scooter so much, she even got back on it following a serious accident when it flipped over in high winds and landed on her leg.

Her knee was crushed and Rosemary spent a month recovering in Gateshead’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a mobility scooter from outside a house on Woods Green, Bill Quay, Gateshead, between 8pm and 10pm on May 17.”